The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) to help accelerate the development of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and boost economic growth by reducing regulatory barriers. According to the UK government, the RIO will streamline regulatory processes for businesses developing innovative products and services, such as AI-driven treatments and drones capable of delivering emergency supplies to remote regions of the country.
By updating regulations and speeding up approvals, the government added, the office would also support companies in bringing new products to market more quickly in some of the fastest-growing sectors. The RIO will also help regulatory bodies collaborate more effectively and identify obstacles to innovation while ensuring that their goals align with the government’s broader economic ambitions.
Regulatory Innovation Office to knock down barriers to innovation, claims govt
The launch of the Regulatory Innovation Office comes ahead of the UK’s International Investment Summit, set to take place on 14 October 2024. It also follows a series of public and private investments announced last week, which aim to revolutionise cancer treatments and bring UK-made medical technology to global markets.
The RIO’s foundation, said DSIT Secretary Peter Kyle, was “a big step forward in bringing the UK’s most promising new technologies to the public faster and safely while kickstarting economic growth.
“By speeding up approvals, providing regulatory certainty and reducing unnecessary delays, we’re curbing the burden of red tape so businesses and our public services can innovate and grow, which means more jobs, a stronger economy, and a better quality of life for people across the UK.”
Initially, the Regulatory Innovation Office will focus on supporting four key areas of technology, namely: engineering biology; space; AI and digital in healthcare; and connected and autonomous technology.
The office will assist regulators in safely bringing products such as synthetic vaccines and pest-resistant crops to market, contributing to both environmental sustainability and public health. The healthcare sector will also see significant support, with AI playing an increasingly important role in patient care.
In the space sector, regulatory reform is expected to offer greater agility and clarity in fostering competition, promoting investment, and opening up market access.
The Regulatory Innovation Office will work with government departments, including the Department for Transport and the Department of Health and Social Care, to address the challenges in the initial growth areas. Earlier this month, the UK government established a new panel of technology experts and academics to develop a long-term digital strategy for modernising public services and fostering innovation. This group, which includes 12 members, will offer guidance on the creation of a ‘digital centre’ within the government.
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